Scaramouch

or Scar·a·mouche

[ skar-uh-mouch, -moosh ]

noun

1. a stock character in commedia dell'arte and farce who is a cowardly braggart, easily beaten and frightened.
2. (lowercase) a rascal or scamp.

Scaramouch

/ -ˌmuːtʃ; ˈskærəˌmaʊtʃ /

noun

1. a stock character who appears as a boastful coward in commedia dell'arte and farce

Word History and Origins

Origin of Scaramouch¹

First recorded in 1662; from French Scaramouche, from Italian Scaramuccia, proper noun use of scaramuccia “skirmish” (applied in jest); skirmish ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of Scaramouch¹

C17: via French from Italian Scaramuccia, from scaramuccia a skirmish

Example Sentences

Scaramouch’s argument was persuasive, but my mind was still undecided.

From Literature

“O these Scaramouches,” interrupts Eubulus, “how they know how to wheedle the poor people!”

From Project Gutenberg

Our Scaramouch is one of the numerous forms of the Captain, which obtained great popularity at Paris.

From Project Gutenberg

This by some has been considered as a dawning of the drama, since the characters probably bore a resemblance to the Arlequin and Scaramouch of the Italian farces.

From Project Gutenberg

Hurtling Trivellino fine, On a trill intent, Scaramouch to Columbine Gives the fan she lent.

From Project Gutenberg